Sheet-music turner.



R. V. TOWNSEND.

SHEET MUSIC TURNER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG, 30, 1913. 1 1 02,824.

Patented July 7, 1914.

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auncmfoa THE NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTO-LJTHQ. WASHINGTON, D C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT V. TOWNSEND, OF RIVERSIDE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN DUNN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

SHEET-MUSIC TURNER.

This invention relates to sheet music turners and is designed to construct a device of this nature wherein the leaves are turned automatically by pressure upon an operating member.

This invention also contemplates the provision of a support for one of the backing sheets which is contained within the opposite backing sheet supporting member when not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to construct a device of this nature which will be simple, inexpensive, easy to operate and quick in its operation, and which will to a certain extent operate automatically.

WVith the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 8 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section taken through the operating spring; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the operating spring casing and illustrates the manner in which the outer terminal of the spring is secured.

The music turner forming the subject matter of the present invention comprises a base board 10 supporting the music rest 11 centrally thereon, said music rest carrying an angular bracket 12 which supports one side of the backing sheet. A U-shaped wire member 13 reciprocates in the tubular members 14 carried at the top and bottom of the back of the music rest 11, said member providing a means whereby the opposite backing sheet may be supported. The base portion 15 is bent outwardly to form an end support for said sheet, while the terminals 16 of the arms are bent outwardly or offset to retain the same in the tubular members 14.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 30, 1913.

Patented July 7, 1914.

Serial No. 787,449.

A pair of angular orificed brackets 16 are secured adjacent to the upper and lower extremities of one of the vertical bars of the frame or rest 11. Directly below said brackets and in the base board 10 is a casing 1'? in which is rotatably mounted the shaft 18, said shaft having a shoulder 19 formed therein adapted to retain the same in position. This shaft projects through the orifice of the lower bracket 16 and is provided with the squared head 20 projecting above said bracket. A shaft 21 is journaled in the upper bracket 16 and is provided with the squared opening 22 at its lower extremity which engages the squared head 20. A retaining member or cap 28 is mounted on the upper journal bracket 16 and normally engages over the upper terminal of' the shaft 21 to hold said shaft against accidental displacement at its lower end from the stub shaft 20 of the operating member 18. It will be obvious that the retaining member 23 may be moved on its pivot laterally from over the shaft extremity to permit the removal of the leaf engaging frame 24 from its journals. A frame 24 is carried by the shaft and is spaced from the terminals thereof, said frame being adapted to rotate with the shaft and carry a leaf of music. A rigid Ushaped music support 25 is carried by the lower arm of the frame 24 and is adapted to cotiperate with the catch or clasp 26 carried on the upper side of said frame.

A coil spring 27 operates in the casing 17 and has its inner terminal secured to the shaft 18, the free terminal thereof projecting through the casing 17 and is engaged by a securing clamp 28, said securing clamp being retained in the recess in the base board 10. This spring is adapted to swing the frame 24; from its set position, that is, resting against the back 11, to its normal or passive position, that is, against the support 13. A washer 29 is secured to the shaft 18 above the spring 27 and is provided to retain the same in the casing 17.

A bracket 30 is clamped or secured to the base board 10 and carries a lever 31 pivoted to the angularly bent extremity 32 thereof. This lever has pivotally secured thereto a rod 83 which extends upwardly and inwardly, the upper terminal of which is offset and extends under the base board 10. A

catch 34 is pivoted in the upper surface of the base board, said catch having an opening 35 therein adapted to engage a hook or bar 36 carried by the shaft 18 when the frame 24 is swung against the rest 11. A rod 37 connects the free terminal of the catch 34 and the terminal of the rod 33, said rod being provided with a washer 38 against which bears a spring 39, said spring being adapted to normally project the catch 34 above the surface of the base board. A retaining member 40 is secured in said base board and forms a bearing for the opposite extremity of the spring. A spring 41 is also wound about the shaft of the lever or operating member 31 and is adapted to normally project the same upwardly, consequently always retaining the same in a position to be immediately operated.

A bracket 42 is carried on the angularly bent portion 32 of the bracket 30 and a similar member 43 is secured on the rear face thereof, said brackets being provided with registering openings, the upper of which is interiorly threaded. A threaded screw or rod 44 reciprocates in said openings and provides a means whereby the entire device may be secured to a music rest, piano, etc. The base board 10 is provided with the usual felt buffers, thereby eliminating damage to the device to which the present invention is attached.

From the foregoing, it will readily be understood that by exerting a simple pressure upon the lever 31, the catch 34 will release the rod 36 and permit the spring 27 to swing the frame 24 to its passive or normal position.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A music leaf turner comprising a support, a shaft mounted thereon, said shaft having a leaf holding frame formed thereon and terminating in a hollow extremity, operating means for said shaft extending into said hollow extremity, an arm carried by said operating means, a retaining pawl normally engaging the arm aforesaid to hold the leaf holding frame in inoperative position, and an operating lever connected to the re-' taining pawl for depression of the same to- I release the arm of the operating means aforesaid and permit rotation of the frame and its shaft.

2. A music leaf turner comprising a support, brackets on said support, a shaft journaled at one end in one of said brackets and including a leaf holding frame, an operating member for said frame constituting a pivot for the lower end of said shaft, said member being journaled in the other of the brackets aforesaid, an arm projecting laterally from the operating member, a retaining pawl pivotally mounted on the support and normally engaging the arm to hold the frame in inoperative position, an operating lever connected to the retaining pawl for movement of the latter on its pivot to disengage the arm aforesaid and permit rotation of the frame and its shaft, and tension means for said operating member whereby to actuate the same to rotate the frame upon the release of the arm aforesaid.

3. A music leaf turner comprising a support, brackets on said support, a shaft journaled at one end in one of said brackets and including a leaf holding frame, an operating member for said frame constituting a pivot for the lower end of said shaft, said member being journaled in the other of the brackets aforesaid, an arm projecting laterally from the operating member, a retaining pawl pivotally mounted on the support and normally engaging the arm to hold the frame in inoperative position, an operating lever connected to the retaining pawl for movement of the latter on its pivot to disen age the arm aforesaid and permit rotation o the frame and its shaft, tension means for said operating member whereby to actuate the same to rotate the frame upon the release of the arm aforesaid, a spring cooperating with the operating lever for the retaining pawl to hold the latter normally engaging the arm on said operating member, and an auxiliary frame carried by the support and adapted to be impinged by the leaf holding frame upon release of the latter.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT V. TOWNSEND. WVitnesses:

WALTER E. BOWERSOCK, CHESTER M. COBB.

copies of thh patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of intents,

Washington, D. 0." i 

